Bakery machinery



March 12, 1940.-

B. RUBEL BAKERY MACHINERY n. m O im March 12, 1940. B, -RUBEL y 2,193,382

BAKERY MACHINERY Filed Sept. 24, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 sa /6 7 f 3 105 ,a8

,4 INVENIOR.

BY ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 12, 1940 UNITED STATES BAKERY MACHINERY.'

'Bertrand Rubel,

cincinnati, ohiqi Application September 24, 1937, Serial No. 165,561

s claims.

This invention relates to bakery'machinery, and more especially to a means for handling bread or other bakery products subsequent to the actual dough loaf formation and prior to the baking thereof.

An object of the invention is to provide means for so handling the bakery products as they are prepa-red for the baking oven, as to preclude the manual handling of the pans of loaves of dough as they are treated with water, punctured for the escape of carbon dioxide gas during baking, and covered with poppy seeds.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel arrangement of means whereby the handling and treating of the loaves is .greatly simplied and expedited. thereby minimizing expense, labor and waste of time in the output of bakery goods.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front end View of the moistening unit shown in Fig. 1. I

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan of the electrica circuits used in the invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View of the stoope unit shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic .view showing the mechanical relationship of the parts of poppy seed mechanism shown in Fig. l.

Fig` 6 is a perspective view kof a time limit Switch mounting.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged 'sectional view on line 1 1 of Fig. 1. y I

The introduction of labor saving devices into modern bakeries has enabled bakers to mechanically mix and knead bread dough, to automatically size the loaves, to automatically convey the bread through heat chambers as it rises, and to automatically re-knead the dough and Shape it into individual loaves ready to be baked. However, the process of moistening the vouter 45 skin of such breads as rye, Vienna, and poppy Seed has always been done by hand. The same holds true as to the puncturing of holes through the upper skin of the bread prior to baking, and to the sprinkling 0f poppy seeds upon thermois- 50 tened surface of the loaf. One of the primary objects of the present invention is to eliminate these various hand operations which are per-- formed just a moment or two prior to the plac'- ing of the bread into the oven in order toyprevent the skin from re-forming overthe`punc-- tures Which would defeat the purpose-of such an operation.

It is planned that the machine comprising this invention shall be located near the baking oven in order that the dough after treatment, vmay be placed inthe ovens without further delay. As the bread is placed in the bake pans after being re-kneaded and shaped,certain varieties of bread are then moistened to assure va glossy surface on the iinished product, and to act as an adherent for poppy seeds and the like which are sprinkled on the loaf just prior to baking.` Certain breads such asrye, require that holes be punched through the top skin of the bread dough prior to baking so that the carbon dioxide gas liberated during the baking process mayl escape. The object of the invention `is to provide a'machine which will automatically per-'5 form any or all of the three operations in an orderly sequence.

In practicing the invention, trays of breadl dough are placed, one at a time, upon the charge end of a conveyor unit. As the pans are car` ried forward, the contents thereof are sprayed with a fine mist of water as they `passfunder the moistening unit. This operation is given most bread products regardless of variety. The conveyor then carries the pan forward under the stooper unit which is automatically lowered into operative position to punch holes through the upper skin of vbread such as rye, as thedough passes under it. The pans are then carried under the sifter-unit which automatically'sifts` poppy sov as to operate only `during that period of timev` during which a` bake pan is beneath it, thereby yeffecting a great saving of energy aswell as materials such as water and poppy seeds, which results in a clean'maChne, free from quantities of unused and/or niis'directed supplies. 4

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings,` there is provided a Suitable framework i"mounted upon suitable supports I Land including a bed ortable l2 over which conveyor belt i3 is adapted to `move for advancing thefpanscontaining the pre-baked breadfdough. The-conveyor is lof the endless chain type being supported at either end upon suitable sprockets, one of which is indicated at I4.

As shown in Fig. 5, motive power to propel the conveyor may be supplied by an electric motor l5 suitably connected through a speed reduction box i6, pulley l1 and belting i8 to pulley i9 on shaft (Fig. l), Pulley 2| transmits power to sprocket wheel I4 by any suitable means such as belting 22. At either end of the conveyor unit a platform is located, such as charging platform 23 which enables the operator to support a bread pan until the conveyor belt has presented a receiving section; and discharge platform 2li which retains the pans until the other operator can remove them. f

A very satisfactory arrangement of the various units is produced by mounting the moistening unit nearest to the charging platform 23. Thi-s unit comprises a plurality of electrically controlled water valves 25 so mounted as to direct a spray of water downward toward the conveyor belt. For brevity and simplicity but one such unit is shown in Fig. 1, but it is to be understood that any number of such units may be hooked up and mounted in the same way as the one shown. The valve units (Fig. 2) are supported above the conveyor unit on vertically adjustable support members 26 which are slidably mounted in brackets 21 which are securely fastened to the framework l0 by any suitable means, such as a weld. Horizontally adjustable members 28 are mounted upon the cross arms 29 connect-ing the depending legs of members 2li. Support members such as suitable rods 3l! are anchored between members 28 thereby providing spaced guides upon which moistening units 25 are mounted. Each moistening unit comprises a base member 3l slidably mounted upon rods 30. A commercial solenoid-operated water valve unit 25 is mounted upon base 3l. The inlet water connection to the valve unit is connected by suitable hose 32 to water supply pipe 33, mounted upon suitable brackets 3ft and 35 and connected toa source of supply, not shown. To the water outlet or discharge side of the valve unit, a spray nozzle head 3S, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, is mounted as to direct its discharge downward towards the conveyor belt. A time limit switch 38, having a depending bread pan contacting iiap 31 may be mounted upon rods 30 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. When the sideof a bake pan contacts ap 31 of time limit switch 38, circuit is instantly closed to time delay switch 39 (Fig. 3) After a predetermined length of time, the contact arms (not shown) of delay switch 39 are closed, thereby closing the circuit to solenoid 4l] which causes soft iron core 4| to be drawn upward, pulling with it the water valve control arm 42. This opens the water valve permitting water to flow `to the nozzle 36. After the bake pan has passed by ap 31, it swings back to its non-operative position breaking the contact in time limit switch 3B, which in stantly deenergizes solenoid 40 whereby the water valve is closed. The purpose of the time delay switch 39 is to allow sufficient time to elapse from the time the edge of a pan trips flap 31 oi time limit switch 38 until the pan has moved forward under the spray nozzles before the water is turned on. By means of the adjustable support members 26 and 28, and because each unit may be moved laterally upon the rods, any size loaf, and vany number of loaves in a pan may be accommodated. Water supply pipe 33 is furnished with a number of outlets 43 so that each unit will have its own water supply. In a like manner, outlet box 244, suitably mounted on bracket |44, permits electrical connections to be made to each unit independently, although al1 of the units receive their impulse from the same time delay switch 39 shown in Fig. 3.

Intermediate the moistening unit and the poppy seed unit, a stooper unit is interposed, Figs. 1 and 4. This unit comprises a stooper shaft t4 carrying stoopers 45 which are secured to the shaft'by any suitable means such as by set screws 41. Shaft 44 is positioned away from main shait 4B by means of adjustable bracket arms 45 which are securely fixed to the respective shafts by suitable set screws 56 and 5l. The stoopers may be made of any suitable material having sufficient width to properly imbed a series of short sharpened spikes which protrude radially from its circumference. 'Ihe main shaft i8 is supported by bracket piece 52 which extends up from the framework It to which it is fastened.

YA solenoid 53 is suitably mounted to framework Il) by any suitable means such as bolts 54. The end of the soft iron core piece 55 is connected by pin 55 to lever arm 51 which is free to move about pivot 59 by which it is fastened to framework I0. Pivoted to the lower end of bracket 52 as at 6D, is lever arm 6I which is linked to lever arm 51 by means of rod 62, through pins 63 and 64. The other end of arm 6I is connected by pin S5 to an adjustable linkage member 36 which is connected to one end of lever arm 61 through pin 68. One end of shaft 43 extends through bracket-bearing member 52 and is securely `fixed to lever arm 61 which pivots about shaft its so that any vertical movement of the end of arm 61 will cause shaft 48 to rotate thereby raising or lowering the offset stooper shaft 44. A weight 69 is fastened to the free end of arm 6l' to counterbalance the weight of the stooper shaft and associated stoopers.

When the contact flap 1l of time limit switch 12, which may be mounted o-n bracket il@ to framework IG as shown in Fig. 6, is moved by the side of a passing pan, the closed electrical circuit to solenoid coil 54 (Fig. 3) is broken in time limit switch 12. However, this break in circuit is not instantly transmitted to solenoid unit because of unit 13 which may be a time relay switch. After the delay has been completed in relay unit 13, the circuit to solenoid 54 is broken and the stooper unit lowered into operative position. When the contact ap 'il is released by the pan, the circuit to solenoid 54 is instantly closed and the stooper unit lifted up to permit unobstructed passage of the next bread pan. The number of stooper units mounted upon shaft 44 may be varied to meet the Varying conditions encountered in the bakery. Usually one stooper wheel is used per loaf although several could be used if desired. By loosening the collars 45, the stooper Wheels may be laterally shifted at will.

The last unit mounted above the conveyor belt is the poppy seed sifter unit which comprises a hopper 14 as ,shown in Fig. 1 suitably mounted above the conveyor on adjustable supports 15 and 16 and having a sifting unit incorporated in the lower part thereof, not shown. Any suitable sifting unit may be used such as the one disclosed in Patent #1,829,107 to W. G. Kirchhoff. To the end of the sifter unit shaft 11, an arm 18 is fastened by suitable means such as by a set screw, not shown. rIl'his unit is put into opera` tion as follows: When the yside of a bake pan til the circuit is closed to time delay fswitch 8l.

After a 'predetermined period of time, the delay switch 8l closes the circuit to solenoid .82 which causes the soft iron core 83 to be drawn upward into coil 82. As shown in Fig. 5, this motion is transmitted to collar 84 of clutch face S5 through linkage members Bt and 87 which are pivoted to a suitable support member 88 as at 88 and Se respectively. Suitable pins such as $0 and 9| connect the iron core piece -to lever arm 86 and this arm to lever 8l, so that when the solenoid 82 is energized, linkage member Sii swings about pivot4 83 thereby pushing the lower end of lever 8l to the right about pvot 89 whereby the collar 84 is urged to the'left to bring clutch plate 85 into engagement with clutch plate Q2. Clutch plate 92 is connected to drive motor l5 thro-ugh speed reduction box i6, shaft 93, sprocket 94, chain 95 and sprocket $5 which is fastened to the driving face 32 of the clutch. When the clutch plates 85 and 92 are engaged, shaft 9i is caused to rotate in bearings 93 and 94 which are suitably mounted to support member Iii. Aneccentric lili! is fastened to the end of shaft 9"! opposite from the clutch. As shown in Fig. 2, the rotary motion of eccentric itil is translated into areciprecating motion of sifter arm 'i8 by means of linkage member .mi mounted upon framework support lil? and associated connected rods m3 and mil, thereby causing the sifter unit to sift the hopper contents onto the pans of bread dough moving below. When the time limit switch flap i9 is released, the circuit to solenoid B2 is broken which permits spring m5 to disengage clutch plates 8f and 92 thereby stopping shaft Si which in turn stops the sifter. After being treated or conditioned by the sifter unit, the bread and pans are expelled from the conveyor onto the discharge platform 24. Mounted in this platform is anl electric switch |85 which is wired in series with the electric drive motor l5 and all of the solenoid circuits, Fig. 3, so that when the contact roller im of switch Hit is depressed by the weight of a bake pan, the aforementioned circuits are broken and the machine is brought to a stop, whereby it performs the function of a safety device by stopping the machine so that other `bake pans are not expelled (which would .push those already on the discharge platform onto the floor), until the bake pan resting upon the switch is removed by the operator to be placed into the oven.

Each unit may be electrically disconnected from the machine by means of Vswitches HI8 (Fig. 3) whereby the exibility of the machine is made a maximum. This may be illustrated by assuming that a rye loaf is being run through the machine. fn this case the loaf is (l) sprayed, (2) conditioned by the stoopers, and (3) sprinkled with plant seed, or if desired the plant seed vunit may be disconnected, thereby eliminating that operation. When a pan is 'discharged by the conveyor onto platform 2Q, the machine is stopped until an attendant removes the loaded pan, at which time the machine automatically starts up and delivers the next pan onto the discharge platform'.

It is to be understood that the' relative positions of the units as described may be 'altered to suit the individual bakery setup; however, the one just described was found to be most satisfactory to the inventor. All the electrical devices embodied herein are of the commercial type and as describedmerely indicate the function to be performed, rather than limit the scope of invention to -any certain hook-up or type of electrical device. f v

The use and operation of the apparatus will now be explained in connection with the treating or handling of rye dough. It is not to be inferred, however, from this explanation, that thedevice is limited either'to rye dough or to other doughs in which the pans employed are provided with'or Without bottoms.

In operation, whenv preparing rye dough, it is..

The pans ordinarily do not have bottoms and consist merely of end and side walls. In some instances the pans may be considerably shorter or narrower than the boards or panels 20L Nevertheless, the operator stationed at the receiving end 23 of `the conveyor positions the panels or boards 29E upon theconveyorso that succeeding panels contact one another. This serves to properly space the panels and pans and consequently the loaves of dough.

As the panels together with the pans 200 are carried by the conveyor, the Walls of the pan along the end edge thereofcontact the various triggers or aps such as 3l for rendering various mechanisms operative as the pan moves beneath or along thevarious spraying, 'puncturing and sifting mechanisms.` When the panels reach the discharge end of the conveyor, it is intended that anoperator will removegthe board together with the pan and the dough therein and that such operator will transfer the pans and loaves of dough from the panel 2i?! to the hearth of the oven. Such transfer is common practice and is accomplished by the operator merely introducing the panel and the pan and loaves carried` thereby into. an oven. vPrior to introduction thereof into an oven, a long pole has been detachably connected to the panel, and then the operator by giving a deft quick jerkv 'or pull upon the pole withdraws the panel from beneath the pan and loaves of dough, thus depositing the .same upon the hearth of the oven. Consequently, a panel with its charge of 'pan and loaves of dougl'i, must momentarily await 4 maybe provided with screen bottoms or with bottoms that are integrallwith the side and endr walls yof the pan. 'Regardless of whether there are bottoms in the pan or whether rye dough or other dough is being treated, the apparatus disclosed herein functions effectively and satisfactorily and accomplishes the ywork of several more specialized duties as bakers.

While the stoopers or puncturing means 45, as shown herein, are associated with mechanism Afor raising and lowering thestoopers yit is obvious that by loosely mounting the stoopers upon the shaft lli, and by making the spikes or prongs of the stoopers suiiciently long and of suitable material, the alternate raising Aand lowering of the stoopers may be obviated.; In those instances men who are thereby relieved to perform their where the spikes would contact any upper edges of the pan walls, lthe stoopers would function similarly to gears and would move without hindrance, and subsequently the spikes would contact the loaves of dough contained between the pan walls. Preferably, the stoopers are not power actuated so as to avoid a tendency toward tearing of the upper surface of the dough.

The spray or water applying means may be adjustable longitudinally of the conveyor by any suitable means. As shown herein, the supporting frame comprising the blocks or members 2S and rods @El may be shifted longitudinally of the horizontal parts 2S of the brackets 2l. The blocks may be frictionall retained in adjusted position or the common expedient of thumb screws may be resorted to for holding the parts in adjusted relation. In like manner, the contact roller lill maybe longitudinally adjustable in the slot 265. This may be accomplished by providing the housing or box llt, in which the cooperating contact parts are retained, and the box may be slidable longitudinally of the brackets VH and H2 attached to the under face of the discharge platform 2d. Customary thumb screws H3 may be used to retain the box and contact member in adjusted position., in accordance with common practice involvingr use of such adjustment means. By reason of the indicated adjustments, the device as awhole is adapted to handle panels and pans of various sizes.

What is claimed is:

1. In a bread conditioning device comprising in combination a framework having a charging platform at one end and a discharge platform at the other end, a conveyor unit disposed cetween said platforms for transferring pans of unbaked bread products between said platforms, conditioningr units mounted on said framework above said conveyor, selective means whereby the conditioning units are rendered operative upon the bread products as they pass below said conditioning units, and means located in the discharge platform whereby the operation of conditioning units and conveyor is rendered inoperative by the weight of a pan of bread products.

2,; In a bread conditioning device comprising in combination a framework having a charging platform at one end and a discharge platform at the other end, a conveyor unit disposed between said platforms for transferring pans of unbaked bread products between said platforms, dough conditioning means mounted on said framework above said conveyor comprising e, dough moistening unit, a stooper unit and a seed sifter unit each of which is rendered operative in orderly sequence by contact means assou ciated with each unit, said contact means being tripped by the forward edge of the bake pans as they are propelled beneath the various conditioning units, and control means associated with the discharge platform whereby the conveyor and conditioning units are rendered inoperative as long as a bake pan` unit is positioned thereon.

3. In a device of the class described the combination of a conveyor for pans containing dough loaves, means for moistening the upper surfaces of loaves of dough .disposed in the pans, means responsive to movement of the pans for rendering the moistening means operative, means for puncturing the upper surfaces of the loaves of dough, means responsive to movement of the pans for rendering the puncturlng means operative, means for applying'edible material to the loaves of dough, means responsive to the movement of the pans for rendering said applying means operative, and means controlled by the movement of pans beyond said moistening, puncturing and applying means for rendering said moistening, puncturing and applying means inoperative.

4. In a device of the class described the combination of a conveyor for pans containing dough loaves, means for moistening the upper surfaces by the movement of pans beyond said moistening,

puncturing and applying means for rendering said moistening, puncturing and applying means inoperative. y

5. The combination with a dough conditioning device comprising a conveyor unit having associated therewith a charge and discharge platform, of conditioning units mounted above said conveyor comprising moistening means, puncturing means and seed sifting means, each including a control means and rendered operative thereby only at such times as when a dough pan has contacted the respective control means, and means located in the discharge platform for controlling the operation of the conveyor and conditioning units whenever a dough pan isl positioned thereon.

6. In a bread conditioning device comprising in combination a framework having a charging platform at one end and a discharge platform at the other end, a conveyor unit disposed between said platforms for transferring pans of unbaked bread products from one platform to the other, independently operable conditioning means mounted on said framework above said conveyor, independent selective means positioned relative to the conveyor unit operative by contact with the pan, `one such independent selective means being provided for each conditioning unit whereby the conditioning units are independently rendered operative upon the bread products as they pass below each of the conditioning units and Contact control means located on the discharge platform whereby the operation of the conveyor and conditioning units are rendered inoperative during those periods of time when a bake pan unit is positioned upon said discharge platform.

'7. In a device of the class described, comprising in combination a framework, a conveyor for transferring objects from one end of said frames work to the other, a superstructure disposed over said conveyor unit, a plurality of dissimilar conditioning means in spaced relationship supported from said superstructure above said conveyor, of a plurality of mutually independent control units for controlling the operation of said conditioning means, one such control unit being provided for each of the dissimilar conditioning means, each of said control means being responsive to the movement .of objects carried on said conveyor for rendering the particular conditioning means associated therewith operative only when articles being carried on said conveyor are aligned directly below thel particular conditioning means controlled thereby and a master control means nozzles supported from said superstructure, one

nozzle being provided in vertical alignment With the line of longitudinal travel of each of the units comprising a row on said conveyor, and means for simultaneously effecting' a fluid discharge from each nozzle, upon the units comprising a row as said imits are moved beneath said nozzles, and for preventing a discharge from said nozzles during all those times other than when a row of units is positioned beneath said nozzles. 10

BERTRAND RUBEL. 

